DONALD A. WOLLHEIM, Editor – A Quintet of Sixes. Ace 70000; paperback original, 1st printing, 1969.

Wollheim, in his introduction to the collection of pulp western stories, seems much too defensive in speaking of the violence inherent in the “Wild West” story. Westerns, to have lasted this long, must must had some other qualities to recommend them. And yet, it does not seem quite necessary to speak unwell of the very quality that has made them so popular all of these years. Readers know what they want. ***

ALLAN VAUGHAN ELSTON “The Trailsman.” First appeared in West September 29 1928, Reprinted in All Western Magazine February/March 1951. Les Larrabe, on the trail of cattle stolen from scattered Texas herds, is mistaken for a hired gunman. Though the girl’s father is killed, her trail to Taos is followed and the rescue made. A nice sense of decency is the hero’s, (3)

D. B. NEWTON “Born to the Brand,” First appeared in Lariat Story Magazine September 1946. A kid seeks revenge; in a strange way, with motivation provided by the author, not the through character, He’s mistaken, (2)

GILES A. LUTZ “Gun Search.” First appeared in The Rio Kid Western November 1952. A mystery story, with a see-through plot, solved by sheriff’s deputy Locke Mehrtens. Told with excitement, however, with steady terror being inflicted upon one rancher’s family. (4)

THOMAS THOMPSON “The Gunsmoke Kid Calls Quits,” Loudmouth Jones. First appeared in Zane Grey’s Western Magazine June 1951. A story of the generation gap in the West, between an old rancher and his daughter, who loves a lawyer for the railroad. A conflict also arises  between town and country, growth and freedom. Is progress inevitable? (4)

WAYNE D. OVERHOLSER “They Hanged Wild Bill Murphy.” First published in Fifteen Western Tales September 1947. Until Wild Bill, on the side of the nesters, is hanged, not a bad story, but it tails off into overdramatics, with a cliche ending. (2)